Originally published 22 September 2010

Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, Belize

1 - Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, Belize

Not for the faint-hearted, Actun Tunichil Muknal, meaning "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher", is located in the heart of the Belizean rainforest and was once a sacred place to the prehistoric Maya of Belize. Watch out for the skeletons as you explore the dark and murky chambers before heading to the cathedral where sacrificial ceremonies once took place.

A 14-day tour of Belize exploring the main highlights of the country including the Cayo district, Orange Walk and Ambergris Caye costs from £1,985 per person. Tailor-make this itinerary by including a visit to the Actun Tunichil Cave.

Find out more about tailor-made trips to Belize or call our Belize specialists directly on 01993 838 690 to discuss your travel ideas. 

Deserted house at Kolmanskop

2 - Kolmanskop ghost town, Namibia

Once a millionaire's avenue, this ghost town now stands derelict and empty of life. Ruins submerged in sand make for some eerie yet fantastic photographs. A morning here will give you plenty of time visit the museum and take a guided tour around the town.

A 15-day, self-drive of southern Namibia including the Kalahari, Fish River Canyon, Luderitz and Aus, the dunes of Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and the Erongo Mountains as well as a visit to Kolmanskop, costs from £2,945 per person.

Find out more about tailor-made trips to Namibia or call our Namibia specialists directly on 01993 838 525 to discuss your travel ideas. 

Little statues in Mount Koya cemetery, Japan

3 - Okunoin graveyard, Mount Koya, Japan

Okunoin graveyard on Mount Koya contains the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, and is one of the most sacred places in Japan. Visiting the graveyard at night is an eerie experience; wander amongst the headstones with only the glow from stone lanterns to light your way, before spending the night in simple temple lodgings.

A 14-day tour of Japan taking in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima costs from £3,100 per person. Tailor-make this tour to include a visit to Mount Koya with time spent exploring the Okunoin graveyard.

Find out more about tailor-made trips to Japan or call our Japan specialists directly on 01993 838 210 to discuss your travel ideas.

Signal Hill, St John's, Canada

4 - St John's, Canada

Wreathed in misty fog drifting in from the North Atlantic, St. John's is steeped in history....and the paranormal! The town’s Queens Road is reputedly one of the most haunted streets in Canada where the screams of a young girl hanged from the bell ropes at St. Andrew’s Church can still be heard. Take part in St John’s Haunted Hike to learn more about the town’s eerie history.

A 15-day tour of Newfoundland including St. John's, Twillingate, Trinity Bay, the Northern Peninsula and Gros Morne National Park costs from £2,690 per person.

Find out more about tailor-made trips to Canada or call our Canada specialists directly on 01993 838 700 to discuss your travel ideas. 

Penitentiary, Port Arthur, Australia

5 - Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia

Port Arthur, found on Tasmania, was originally designed to be the ultimate prison. Miles from anywhere, a penal settlement developed. Today Port Arthur is home to many reputed cases of haunting and ghosts – particularly of convict origin. These include cases of cells with ghostly screams and empty rocking chairs that move. If you’re brave enough, partake in the Port Arthur ghost tour.

A 13-day tour of Tasmania taking in the unique wildlife, variety of scenery and fascinating convict history at Port Arthur costs from £2,515 per person. 

Find out more about tailor-made trips to Australia or call our Australia specialists directly on 01993 838 810 to discuss your travel ideas.

Larnach castle, Dunedin, New Zealand

6 - Larnach Castle, Dunedin, New Zealand

Built in the late 1800s by William Larnach, this remote castle is said to house many spooky goings on. William’s favourite daughter, Kate, is said to haunt the ballroom, which was built to mark her 21st birthday, while her father, who committed suicide after discovering the affair between one of his sons and his third wife, is said to keep a watchful eye over the billiard room.

A 20-day tour of New Zealand's South Island, taking in Abel Tasman National Park, the Mackenzie Country, the Southern Lakes, the Catlins, Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula costs from £3,470 per person.

Find out more about tailor-made trips to New Zealand or call our New Zealand specialists directly on 01993 838 820 to discuss your travel ideas.

Isandlwana memorial, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

7 - The Battlefields, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The northeastern corner of KwaZulu-Natal has seen clashes between numerous armies. Listening to expertly recounted tales of how a hundred British soldiers held off some 4,000 Zulus at Rorke’s Drift during the Zulu war, or learning how Ghandi, Paul Kruger and Winston Churchill were all involved in a desperate struggle for the desolate summit of Spioenkop during the Boar War will leave you engaged, informed and with your spine tingling slightly.

A 16-day tour of KwaZulu-Natal, taking in the Drakensberg Mountains and the Battlefields region, as well as spending time on safari and on the beach costs from £3,560 per person. 

Find out more about tailor-made trips to South Africa or call our South Africa specialists directly on 01993 838 550 to discuss your travel ideas.

Karni Mata temple, Bikaner, India. Image: Shakti/Wikipedia

8 - Karni Mata temple, Bikaner, India

Around 33 km South of Bikaner is the Karni Mata temple, devoted to rats, which attracts pilgrims from all over the state and beyond. The rats are believed to be reincarnations of holy individuals, and are expected to be reincarnated again as gifted humans. Thousands of rats scurry round the temples, attracted by the gifts of coconuts grains and milk which pilgrims bring. This is definitely not for the squeamish, as some of them will inevitably run across your feet, which will of course be bare inside the temple.

Find out more about tailor-made trips to India or call our India specialists directly on 01993 838 330 to discuss your travel ideas.

Day of the Dead, Mexico

9 - Day of the Dead, Mexico

On the 1st of November, Mexico celebrates its 'Day of the Dead', a colourful synergy of ancient cultures and Catholicism, involving decorated skulls, candles, banners and parades. Celebrations take place across the country but there's something eerily enchanting about experiencing this tradition in the colonial towns.

A 16-day tour of Mexico including time spent in Mexico City, Oaxaca, San Cristobal, Palenque, Chichen Itza and the Mayan Riviera costs from £2,850 per person. Tailor-make this tour to coincide with the 'Day of the Dead' celebrations in November.

Find out more about tailor-made trips to Mexico or call our Mexico specialists directly on 01993 838 670 to discuss your travel ideas. 

Minster Lovell church through the ruined hall. Image: Bill Bagshaw

10 - Minster Lovell ruins, England

Not a destination you would visit on a trip with Audley, however the Minster Lovell ruins are situated approximately five minutes drive away from our offices in Witney and a visit to the ruins can easily be incorporated into a trip to our offices.

Legend has it that Francis Lovell, a former owner of the property, fled from battle in 1487 and hid in an underground chamber at the hall. Only an old and loyal servant knew of Francis' whereabouts and provided him with food and water. When the servant died suddenly, Francis slowly starved to death. The room was apparently discovered in the early 18th century with a male skeleton sitting at a desk surrounded by books, however this story has now dissolved into legend as the room not been located since.

Another reported resident of Minster Lovell ruins is the spirit of a young bride who, during a game of hide and seek, became trapped in a lead-lined box and suffocated.

We welcome the opportunity to speak to our clients face to face about their travel plans - why not book an appointment with one of our specialists to discuss your ideas in the beautiful surroundings of our converted wool mill, in the heart of the Windrush valley. To make an appointment call us 01993 838 925 for an initial discussion and to agree a time and date.

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